Chlodnik Recipes

Steps:

• Place veal in water to cover and poach gently 20 minutes, until cooked through. Set aside.
• Simmer beets in water to cover until cooked through, about 25 minutes. Remove beets from water, reserving liquid. Peel beets. Strain beet water through a colander lined with cheesecloth. In a blender or food processor, puree beets with beet liquid and set aside.
• Simmer shrimps in water to cover for 5 to 7 minutes, until cooked through. Peel shrimps and set aside.
• Peel and seed cucumber. Cut and dice. Combine cucumber, veal with its liquid and beets. Add yogurt, dill and chives. Taste, and add salt and pepper if necessary. Add shrimps. Place in refrigerator until very cold.
• When ready to serve, place soup in bowls and garnish with slices of hard-boiled eggs.

Steps:

• Using a large knife, separate greens and stems from beets. Thoroughly wash greens and stems; set aside. Scrub beets, transfer to a medium pot, and cover with 1" water. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, uncover, and cook until beets are tender when pierced with a knife, about 10 minutes. Drain beets; discard cooking liquid. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, chop beet greens and stems. Transfer to a large pot and add 1/2 tsp. salt and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, without boiling, until greens are tender, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• Peel and coarsely grate beets, preferably wearing gloves. Add to pot with cooled greens. Gently stir in cucumbers, pickle, pickle brine, buttermilk, sour cream, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cover pot and chill soup at least 30 minutes. Adjust seasonings, if desired. Divide soup among bowls; top with eggs and dill.
• Do Ahead
• Soup can be made 2 days ahead; cover and chill.

Steps:

• In a large, nonreactive bowl, whisk the sour cream, buttermilk, sauerkraut juice, garlic, salt and pepper until smooth.
• Stir in the shrimp, cucumbers, dill, fennel and scallions, gently but thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
• To serve, taste for seasoning, ladle into bowls and sprinkle with chopped hard-cooked egg.